The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-05-19

| Ldtu CCCololOIAlIy Oil luobiuCt OuOulu ldut
before circumstances permit of habits be-
ing formed, or that, if the habit be formed,
| other factors than the pure instincts should
modify it's course, need not surprise us.
Life is full of the imperfect adjustment to
individual cases, of arrangements which
taking the species as whole. are quite
orderly and regular. Instinct cannot be
expected to escape this general rule.
At the Crater.
The veterans Of the Fifty-seventh and
Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Regiments of
Volunteers arrived in Petersburg on the
ID of May. and spent the Sd visiting the
lines of battle around that city. Fort
Steadman and the Crater were prominent
pointsof observation and examination. At
Fort Steadman Lieut.. c. II. Pinkham, of
Worcester. Mass, a member of the Fifty
seventh, delivered an interesting address
giving in detail the movements of the
respective armies in the battle which
ragged so disastrously at that Fort. To
this General Malone. who accompanied
the visiting veterans, is reported in the
Petersburg hader Appeal as responding as
follows:
AT the Crater an address was delivered by
Senator Mahone who accompanied the visitors
on their rounds to the lines, Senator Malone
first pointed out the lines of the two armies,
ana then said don't think oul people ever
knew exactly what you were about when that
mine was being constructed. You see the lines
were only about one hundred rods apart, and
we had no picket line at this point at that time
The explosion was like an earthquake, and the
first feeling of all was that he wanted to get
away. was back from that point anu nearer
the city, but was ordered forward by Gen Lee
at once; at once moved forward in Iavine, a
sort of covered way. where but two men could
march side by side. The Crater, after the ex-
plosion, was like q goose egg cut in two, about
1870 feet long, rs feet wide, and go feet Deep
Heavy columns of clay were thrown up. which
have since, in measure, disappeared. AS it
went up it took everything within its way, in
Guiding the battery located here. There was
such establishment at first that no resistance
was offered.
AS came up through the ravine was told
Yankees; it was a rash movement, but went,
and looking over could see the Yankees. AT
that time we could not tell or realize what you
intended to do. was not prepared to believe
even that you were there. it was SO quick aud
SO sudden. But 1 looked over there. and at this
very point and near by could see you waving
flags; / counted eleven flags. and they did look
very pretty as they were waved by your men.
at once estimated that you must have at least
grades of about 1000 men. At first took 1T that
you were coming across to the heights and 1t
appeared that you did that It was the END OF
away. felt we were gone up. We could not
have got offa piece of artillery, and the infantry
could only have scampered BACK. Yes. Sir,
was much concerned; reckoned we were gone
up dare not leave the hill, for | was sure you
would pick me Off
irregularly. 1 then had the Virginia brigade
in line and they advanced. The Georgia br1-
al
ward pell-mell and retook the lines at the
Crater. The Georgia brigade tried to take
left but could not and fell back; later the Ala
bama brigade took that line. After that came
the white flag from the pit and we TOOK l.l0l OF
your men as prisoners. Among them was Gen.
VIM. f. Bartlett, who went out as colonel of the
Fifty-seventh, and after the war was In the IRON
of truce, and then both sides came on the |
grounds between the two lines and buried the
dead. While this flag of truce was on. word
came to me from surgeon of some yankee regi-
ment that he would send me bottle OF Whlskey |
if would like it, of course said yes and the |
doctor went back. Whether he was too slow or |
the time of truce expired too quick did not |
get that whiskey. have not seen that doctor |
since but some OF your men owe me that pottle |
man in the party said: General, here is the |
doctor. and d. Whitman V. White, surgeon OF
the Fifty-seventh Massachusetts, was introduce |
he made that promise ana Tie nag of truce
too quick for him; the two met and soon Or.
White rode towards the city in the private car
rage OF the general
The veterans all re turned to the city by three
O'Clock in the afternoon and dined, their appe-
tite being sharped by their ride and march
After dinner many of them visited the tobacco
factories and other places OF interest," ABOUT the
city.
Inc Fifty seventh Regiment association held
meeting at the Albemarle hotel last nlgnt
and elected the following officers for the ensu-
ing term: President-C. H Pinkham, of Wor-
eester; ce-Presdents-T. F. Holmes, OF Wa
terbury; John H. Cook of Boston; s. E. King,
of West Millbury; and A. Gould. of Worcester
Quartermaster-George E. Priest, OF water
town; Sergeant-Major G. 5. Holden.
Last night the veterans were hospitality en-
tertained by Senator Malone at his residence.
The visitors will leave this morning for Rich
mond, from which place they will go to tredef-
icksburg. The other portion of the programme
III oIyoo dv puhljShG0.